Nectarine tree named ‘NECTARTIC’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of white nectarine tree, denominated ‘NECTARTIC’, has fruit of very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, a semi-sweet white flesh of high eating quality and an attractive bright purple red skin color. The tree is of medium size and is vigorous. Fruit can be consumed crunchy or at maturity.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Prunus persicaL. Batsch var. nucipersica.

Variety denomination: ‘NECTARTIC’.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No.2010/0489 filed on Mar. 2, 2010 (03/02/10) which is hereby incorporatedby reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of nectarinetree, Prunus persica L. Batsch var. nucipersica, which has been giventhe variety denomination ‘NECTARTIC’. This new tree produces fruit witha long shelf life without alteration both on the tree after growthcompletion and after harvesting, very good eating quality, fresh fruitfor fresh market at the end of August in the Pyrénées-Orientalesdepartment, France. Contrast is made to ‘NECTARCRISP’ (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 19,384) nectarine, standard variety, for reliable description.‘NECTARTIC’ is a promising candidate for commercial success in that ithas a semi-late flowering period, a fruit with very long shelf lifewithout alteration after harvesting, and so a very durable fruit.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

‘NECTARTIC’ nectarine tree originated in a cultivated area of the southof France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, where it was tested.The male parent was ‘NECTARCRISP’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,384) a whitenectarine tree and the female parent ‘JMD 5 NB’ (non-patented) is also awhite nectarine tree. ‘JMD 5 NB’ (non-patented) is a white nectarinetree with a maturity period in mid-August with the climatic conditionsof South of France. ‘NECTARCRISP’ results from a free pollination of‘MAILLARFLAT’ (SWEETCAP®) (non-patented) white flat peach tree that wasused as the seed parent. ‘NECTARCRISP’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,384)blooms in the end of March near Elne, France, between 18^(th) and27^(th) of March, eleven days after ‘SNOWQUEEN’ or ‘ZAITABO’ (BIG TOP®)varieties with the same climatic conditions. The maturity period islate, from end of August to beginning of September. The productivity isvery good. The fruit is very attractive, large and firm, semi-sweet andaromatic, with a very long shelf life. ‘NECTARTIC’ variety was obtainedby hybridizing and propagated by grafting in Elne, Pyrénées-Orientalesdepartment, France. ‘NECTARTIC’ variety has been determined to haveunique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercialfresh fruit production. There are no known effects of this standardrootstock on this scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants of the‘NECTARTIC’ variety remained true to the original tree and allcharacteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plant ofthe ‘NECTARTIC’ variety was reproduced asexually by us in Elne,Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. More particularly, the plant ofthe ‘NECTARTIC’ variety was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of nectarine tree blooms in March near Elnein the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. More particularly, itblooms around 2 days before ‘NECTARCRISP’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,384).The blooming period is considered semi-late.

The first fruit of ‘NECTARTIC’ ripens in August, around 5 days beforethe first fruit of ‘NECTARCRISP’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,384) variety.More particularly, it approximately ripens between the 22^(nd) and the30^(th) of August.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph which depicts the flower buds at differentdevelopment stages, and the reverse and side view of the flower and thereproductive organs with petals removed, of the new variety.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows six typical specimens of thefruit, one having been cut in half with the pit being left in one of thehalves for depicting fruit flesh, pit cavity and stone of the newvariety; leaves of the new variety are also present.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph which shows a branch bearing typical fruitsand leaves.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves andfruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate whencompared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variationsin soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potentialfor commercial production of fresh fruit by ‘NECTARTIC’ is high, due tofruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-spread tosemi-upright aspect. The flowering shoot is present excluding brushwoodside away from sun. Flowering begins semi-late in springtime. The typeof flower is showy, with large petal size. Petals are dark pink. Leafglands are present and reniform. Time of maturity for consumption issemi-late to late. The fruit flesh is white with slightly redpigmentation into the stone cavity. Fruit skin is very thick, of brightpurple red blush color on a pink-washed red background. The stone ismedium size and the flesh is more or less adherent according to thefruit maturity. Fruit taste is semi-sweet.

Compared to ‘NECTARCRISP’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,384) time of maturity,‘NECTARTIC’ is earlier of 5 to 6 days. Compared to ‘NECTARCRISP’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 19,384) fruit, ‘NECTARTIC’ fruit is more attractivebecause it is round to slightly oblate, dark red on a pink-washed redground. Moreover fruit can be consumed crunchy or at maturity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of white nectarine tree, the following has beenobserved during the second fruiting season under the ecologicalconditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, inthe Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. All observations have beenmade on rootstock cultivar. The rootstock was a ‘FRANC INRA MONTCLAR®’tree. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S.Colour Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal HorticulturalSociety of Great Britain.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Medium to high as compared to other common commercial            nectarine cultivars. The tree size the first year was            approximately 2.50 meters. The tree was pruned during each            following dormant season to a height of approximately 2.50            meters. Current seasons shoots growth could reach 0.80            meters. So the tree size from the second year (second and            next years) reached a final height of 3.30 meters including            current seasons shoots length.        -   Spread.—Approximately 1.0 meter. The whole orchard was            oriented to a central leader organization, with tree lines            spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0 meter in a same            tree line.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous. The present variety grew from about 60.0            centimeters to 80.0 centimeters in height during the first            and following growing seasons. For second and following            seasons, the variety was pruned to an approximate height of            2.50 meters.        -   Productivity.—Very productive. Fruit set is spaced by            thinning to develop the remaining fruit into the desired            market sized fruit. The number of the fruit set varies with            the prevailing climatic conditions and cultivar practices            employed during the bloom period, and is therefore not            distinctive of the present variety.        -   Bearer.—Very regular. A thinning of 1 fruit out of 3 was            necessary for the tree valorization. Thinning may not be too            important because of the high magnifying potential of the            fruit.        -   Form.—Semi-spread to semi-upright naturally.        -   Density.—Considered medium dense to dense.        -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in            France. The variety appears to be hardy under typical            central Pyrénées-Orientales department climatic conditions.            Experimentations on different sites with winter chilling            requirement comprised between 350 hours and 1200 hours            showed a good behavior of the tree in all cases. No damages            were caused by ascertained temperatures as low as −12°            degrees Celsius. The tree was also very resistant to frosty            springtime weather.-   Trunk:    -   -   Diameter.—Approximately between 5.5 centimeters and 6.0            centimeters when measured at a distance of approximately            30.0 centimeters above the soil, on trees from the second            growing season.        -   Bark texture.—Rough, with lenticels.        -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present on trees from the            second growing season. The number of lenticels reaches 3 to            5 lenticels per cm². The lenticels range in size from            approximately 0.2 centimeters to 0.5 millimeters in width,            and an average height of 0.15 centimeters.        -   Lenticels color.—The outside surface of lenticels has a            silver-grey color (RHS GREY 201 C), whereas the inside            surface is brown (RHS GREYED ORANGE 166 C to 166 D).        -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a silver-grey color a little            more pronounced than lenticels outside color (RHS GREY 201 B            to 201 C or RHS 200C).-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Mature branches and current season shoots are            considered medium to thick for the variety. Mature branches            show a length between 60.0 and 80.0 centimeters.        -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other nectarine varieties.            The current season shoots have a diameter from 4.0 to 10.0            millimeters, and branches of trees from the second growing            season have a diameter comprised between 10.0 and 23.0            millimeters.        -   Current season shoots surface texture.—Average, wood that is            several years old has no furrowed appearance.        -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but            the crotch angles are generally between 60 degrees and 80            degrees from the horizontal axis. This particular            characteristic is not considered distinctive of the variety,            however.        -   Internode length.—Generally 25.0 millimeters to 35.0            millimeters.        -   Color of mature branches.—Medium brown (RHS GREY BROWN 199 A            to 199 B).        -   Color of current season shoots.—The color of new shoot tips            is considered a light yellow green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 144 A            to 144 C) on lower part of new shoot tips, whereas the upper            part is colored brown-purple to brown-red (RHS GREYED PURPLE            GROUP 187 A to 187 B or GREYED RED 182 A) following the            position on the shoot.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Considered large for the species. Leaf measurements            have been taken from vigorous, upright, current-season            growth at approximately mid-shoot. The ratio leaf            length/leaf width is above 3.37.        -   Leaf length.—From 171.0 to 203.0 millimeters with leaf            petiole. Average length of 182.0 millimeters.        -   Leaf width.—From 44.0 to 68.0 millimeters. Average width of            54.0 millimeters.        -   Leaf base shape.—Concave relative to the leaf longitudinal            axis.        -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.        -   Tip form.—Acuminate, small.        -   Leaf color.—Upper leaf surface. Dark Green (RHS GREEN 137            A). Lower surface. A lighter green (RHS GREEN 137 B to            137 C) than the upper leaf surface color. Leaf texture.            Smooth and glabrous. Leaf venation. Pinnately veined.        -   Mid-vein.—Color. Light green with a yellow touch (RHS YELLOW            GREEN 145 D) evolving with the maturity. Leaf margins.            Slightly undulating. Form. Considered slightly dentate.            Uniformity. Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In            this last case, it is found one leaf of normal size with one            or two smaller leaves (size-reduction of 50% and more).        -   Leaf petioles.—Size. Considered medium. Length. About 8.0 to            11.0 millimeters. Diameter. About 2.0 millimeters. Color.            Light green on the upper surface (RHS YELLOW GREEN 145 A to            145 B) and light green with a cream touch (RHS YELLOW GREEN            145 C to 145 D) on the lower surface.        -   Leaf glands.—Size. Considered medium. Their length is about            1.5 millimeters. Their width is between 0.8 and 1.0            millimeter. Number. Generally 2 to 4. Type. Reniform. Color.            On young leaves, leaf gland color is considered pale green            (RHS YELLOW GREEN 145 B). On older leaves, leaf gland color            turns to a dark brown (RHS GREY BROWN 199 A to 199 B).            Margins. Smooth and regular.        -   Leaf stipules.—Generally. No leaf stipules were observed.            But as seen in the characteristic relative to the leaves            uniformity, it is possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or            3, with a normal-size leaf and smaller ones.-   Flowers:    -   -   Flower buds.—Generally. At pre-floral stage of development,            the floral buds are conic in form with a round tip. Their            form is evolving until blooming, with variable dimensions.            Just before blooming, floral buds are approximately 11.0            millimeters wide and approximately 20.0 millimeters long.            Color. This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity            to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development, the bottom of            the flowers buds, formed by sepals, is of purple-brown color            (RHS GREYED PURPLE 183 A to 183 D or GREYED BROWN GROUP 199            A); the corolla, formed by petals, is generally of medium            pink color (RHS RED PURPLE 65 B or RED PURPLE 69 C). Petals            color shows an evolution until the end of flowering.            Hardiness. The buds are considered hardy under typical            central Pyrénées-Orientales department climatic conditions.            No winter injury was noted during the last several years of            evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales department,            with winter temperatures as low as −10° C. in January. The            current variety has not been intentionally subjected to            drought or heat stress, but the variety showed a very good            resistance in orchard to temperatures up to 42° C. with an            average temperature between 28° C. and 30° C. during 3 weeks            in summer. Date of bloom. Generally early March. The first            bloom, observed on Feb. 27, 2008, was exceptionally early.            Second and third blooms took place respectively on Mar. 7,            2009 and Mar. 23, 2010. Blooming time. Considered semi-late            in relative comparison to other commercial nectarine            cultivars grown in the Pyrénées-Orientales department,            France. The date of full bloom is observed at the middle of            the blooming period. The date of bloom varies slightly with            climatic conditions and cultural practices. Duration of            bloom. Approximately 9 to 12 days. This characteristic            varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions.            Flower type. The variety is considered to have a showy type            flower. Flower size. Considered medium. Flower diameter at            full bloom is approximately 35.0 to 40.0 millimeters. Bloom            quantity. Considered abundant, approximately 40 flowers per            meter. Flower bud frequency. Generally 2 flower buds appear            per node, occasionally 1.        -   Petal.—Size. Considered large for the species. Length.            Generally about 23.0 millimeters. Width. Generally about            20.0 millimeters. Petal form. Round. Petal count. Nearly            always 5. Petal texture. Smooth and glabrous. Petal color.            Both surfaces of the petal are colored with a dark Pink (RHS            RED PURPLE 73 B to 73 D) when young, darkening with            advancing senescence. Fragrance. Soft.        -   Petal claw.—Form. The claw is considered to have a conic            form with a slightly rounded extremity. Length.            Approximately 6.0 to 7.0 millimeters. Width. Average 4.0            millimeters. Petal margins. Moderately wavy, sinuate.        -   Petal apex.—Generally. The petal apices are generally            complete at the tip and large round.        -   Flower pedicel.—Length. Considered medium to large and            having an average length of approximately 3.0 to 5.0            millimeters. Diameter. Average 2.0 millimeters. Color.            Medium brown to light brown (RHS GREY BROWN N199 C to            N199D).        -   Calyx.—Internal surface texture. Smooth and glabrous. Color.            The outer surface of the calyx is considered purple-brown            (RHS GREYED PURPLE 183 A to 183 D or GREY BROWN 199 A)            color. The inner surface is yellow green (RHS YELLOW 13 A to            13 B or YELLOW GREEN 150 A to 150 B).        -   Sepals.—Number. Generally 5. Surface texture. The outer            surface has a fine pubescent texture. Size. Medium. Ovoid            shape. Length. Approximately between 5.0 and 6.0            millimeters. Width. Approximately between 4.0 and 5.0            millimeters. Color. A flat red (RHS GREYED PURPLE 183 A to            183 D or GREY BROWN 199 A). Average number of stamens per            flower. Average 40 stamens per flower.        -   Anthers.—Length. Medium. Color. Yellow-orange-red color (RHS            YELLOW ORANGE 16 A to 16 B). Anthers are becoming brown (RHS            GREYED RED 178 A) after maturity. Pollen production. Pollen            is abundant, and has a yellow color (RHS YELLOW ORANGE 17 B            to 17 C) evolving with maturity. The present variety is            auto-fertile (self-pollinating).        -   Filaments.—Size. Variable in length, approximately 11.0 to            16.0 millimeters in length. Color. Considered pale pink (RHS            RED PURPLE 62 C to 62 D or RED PURPLE 73 A to 73 B). The            color is evolving with flowering.        -   Pistil.—Number. Usually 1. Length. Approximately 16.0 to            22.0 millimeters including the ovary. Color. Considered very            pale green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 150 D or RHS YELLOW GREEN 151            D). The color is evolving with flowering. Surface texture.            Glabrous.-   Fruits:    -   -   Maturity.—Very firm at maturity (shipping ripe).        -   Date of first picking.—Aug. 27, 2010.        -   Date of last picking.—Sep. 6, 2010. The date of harvest            varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions.        -   Size.—Generally. Considered large to very large, with a            homogeneous size between them. Average cheek diameter. From            75.0 millimeters to 83.0 millimeters. Average axial            diameter. From 66.0 millimeters 72.0 millimeters. Typical            weight. Generally between 220.0 grams and 280.0 grams. This            characteristic is highly dependent upon the prevailing            cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly            distinctive of the variety.        -   Fruit form.—Generally. Round to slightly oblong. The fruit            is generally uniform in symmetry, viewed from pistil end.            Fruit suture. Very shallow, extending from the base to the            apex. No apparent callousing or stitching exists along the            suture line.        -   Suture.—Color. This has generally a color similar to the            blush fruit color, a bright purple red (RHS GREYED PURPLE            187 A to 187 B) on a ground (RHS RED 45 D).        -   Ventral surface.—Form. Smooth. Sometimes slightly oblique on            the base side. Apex. Sometimes very slightly marked. Base.            Semi-flared, shallow. Oblique shaped on the suture side.            Stem cavity. Average depth of the stem cavity is about 12.0            millimeters. Average width is about 14.0 to 15.0            millimeters.        -   Fruit skin.—Thickness. Considered very thick and strong, and            tenacious to the flesh depending on stage of maturity.            Texture. Smooth. Taste. Semi-sweet, sugared, aromatic.            Tendency to crack. None.        -   Color.—Blush color. This blush color is a homogenous bright            purple red (RHS GREYED PURPLE 187 A to 187 B). The red blush            covers 90% to 100% of the fruit skin surface. The percentage            of the blush on the fruit skin surface can vary, and is            generally dependant upon the prevailing conditions under            which the fruit was grown. Ground color. The ground color            appears until 10% of the fruit skin surface, and is            considered pink red (RHS RED 47 B to 47 C). Fruit stem.            Medium in length, from 9.0 to 10.0 millimeters. Diameter.            Approximately 4.0 millimeters. Color. Pale green (RHS YELLOW            GREEN 145 A to 145 B).        -   Flesh.—Ripens. Very homogenous, slow, very evenly. Texture.            Very firm, very dense, crunchy, luscious, juicy at            harvesting maturity stage. Fibers. Not fibrous. Aroma.            Pronounced. Eating quality. Considered very good and            aromatic. Flavor. Considered semi-sweet. The Brix is            generally superior to 13 degrees and acidity is comprised            between 6 and 9 meq/100 ml. The flavor is considered juicy            and aromatic. Juice. Very juicy at complete maturity. Brix.            Generally superior to 13.0 degrees. This characteristic            varies slightly with the number of fruit per tree;            prevailing cultural practices; and the surrounding climatic            conditions. Flesh color. White flesh (RHS WHITE 155 A to 155            B), with slight red pigmentation star-shaped around the            stone cavity on 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters and in the stone            cavity (RHS RED 53 A to 53 B).        -   Stone.—Type. Clingstone. More or less adherent according to            the fruit maturity. Stone cavity. Medium size, with an            elliptic-form and dimensions corresponding to the stone's            dimensions. Size. Considered medium for the variety. The            stone size varies significantly depending upon the tree            vigor, crop load and prevailing growing conditions. Length.            From 30.0 to 34.0 millimeters. Width. From 24.0 to 25.0            millimeters. Diameter. From 17.0 to 18.0 millimeters. Form.            Elliptic. Base. Generally straight.        -   Apex.—Shape. The stone apex is prominent and has a pointed            tip.        -   Stone surface.—Surface texture. Usually the pit is            transversely furrowed on its entire surface. Furrows are            more pronounced toward the apex. The stone is pitted toward            the base. Relief is prominent generally and present basally.            Ridges. The surface texture is generally characterized by            more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and is more            prominent at the apical tip.        -   Ventral edge.—Width. Considered small to medium, and having            a dimension of approximately 2.0 millimeters at mid-suture.        -   Dorsal edge.—Shape. Grooved. Stone color. The color of the            dry stone is red-brown (RHS GREYED PURPLE N186 C or 187 A to            187 B) with some zones of light brown (RHS GREYED ORANGE 174            B to 174 C). Tendency to split. Splitting is absent or very            low, depending on climatic conditions between blooming            period and stone hardening.        -   Kernel.—Size. Medium. Length. About 17.0 millimeters. Width.            About 12.0 millimeters. Thickness. About 4.0 millimeters.            Form. Considered oblate and elliptic. Pellicle. Thin and            pubescent. Color. The kernel skin is orange brown (RHS            GREYED ORANGE N167 A or N164 A). The almond, which is the            seed of the kernel, is cream-white (RHS WHITE 155 B). The            kernel and its embryo are mature at the time of fruit            maturity.        -   Use.—The subject variety ‘NECTARTIC’ is considered to be a            nectarine tree of the semi-late to late season of maturity,            and which produces fruits that are considered firm,            attractively colored. Fruits are excellent for uncooked            consumption, crunchy or at full maturity. Due to their flesh            quality, firmness and density, they can also be            commercialized as 4^(th) range product (packed fruit or            fruit in bags for example). And they are also useful for            both local and very long distance shipping.        -   Keeping quality.—Excellent. Fruit stayed a little more than            one week on tree before harvest and then, has stored well            more than 4 weeks after harvest at 2.0 degree Celsius. They            have a slow maturation and a long shelf life both on the            tree after growth completion and after harvesting without            alteration.        -   Shipping quality.—Considered very good. The fruit of the new            nectarine variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or            skin damage after being subjected to normal harvesting and            packing procedures. Its resistance to handling during            harvest and packing and its long shelf life without            alteration after harvest easily permit 3 weeks-shipping at            2° degree Celsius.        -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular            susceptibilities were noted. The present variety is not very            sensitive to powdery mildew, or conservation diseases and            decay due to its thick and strong skin.

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the describedcharacteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailingnear Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales department, France, it should beunderstood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristicsincident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pestcontrol and horticultural management are to be expected.

1. A new and distinct variety of white nectarine tree as illustrated anddescribed, characterized by fruit of very long shelf life withoutalteration after harvesting, and with a semi-sweet white flesh of higheating quality and an attractive skin color, with a very high percentageof bright purple red.